B.C. EVENTS: For the week of Saturday, January 26

 

 

(These are FREE listings. Submit your event / announcement at EditorVoice@gmail.com)

 

Surrey Kids Read Family Event

 

Surrey Libraries celebrates Family Literacy Day at Guildford Town Centre (Centre Court) with our annual Surrey Kids Read event on Saturday, January 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a full lineup of children’s entertainers and the first 200 families will receive a free copy of the book, The Reading Tree. While there, pick up a colouring sheet that you can colour and return to any Surrey Library for a free Walter & Jazzy book bag.

 

South Asian Film Education Society

 

Free public film screening and tribute to Mrinal Sen: “Bhuvan Shome” in SFU Goldcorp Centre (Room 4955), 149 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, on Saturday, January 26, 2-5 p.m. Bhuvan Shome is an old man who has lost his wife. Looking back on his life and the trials and tribulations he had to deal with, he seeks escape in a holiday (Hindi / Urdu, 1969). Director: Mrinal Sen. Narrator: Amitabh Bachan. Running Time: 96 minutes. National Film Award (1969) for Best Feature Film and Best Director. Website: http://mrinalsen.org/

 

Museum of Surrey Punjabi Exhibition: Public Input

 

Museum of Surrey is gearing up to feature Punjabi stories of Surrey as its first major community-led exhibition in the new feature gallery. This dynamic cultural showcase will run October 2 to December 22, shining a spotlight on the unique story of the Punjabis here in Surrey. In addition to having exhibitions, programs and events that attract visitors from all over the province, the recent 15.7 million-dollar expansion allows for the facility to be a ‘people museum’ – a community hub that celebrates the people and communities of Surrey. The Museum encourages Surrey Punjabis to be part of history in the making by adding their input to the exhibit. Community sharing sessions will be held throughout the city in January and February for people to share stories and photos of personal objects to be considered for display. The remaining info sessions are scheduled as follows: * January 26, 12:30–4:30 p.m., Fleetwood Community Centre, Room 5 * February 1, 1– 5 p.m., Guildford Town Centre Mall * February 5,  9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Newton Senior Centre, Room 3 * February 10, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., Grandview Aquatic Centre classroom * February 17, 12–4 p.m., Museum of Surrey, Program Rooms 1 and 2. Contact email Colleen Sharpe, curator of exhibits, at colleen.sharpe@surrey.ca or call 604-592-6959 for more info.  The site, located at 17710 56A Avenue in Surrey, is also home to Heritage Square, where the Anderson Cabin, 1881 Town Hall and Anniedale School are situated. Free admission to Museum of Surrey is sponsored by the Friends of the Museum and Archives Society.

 

Rally Against Repression In India

 

Sunday, January 27 at 2 p.m. at Holland Park, Surrey. Indians Abroad for Pluralist India calls upon all progressive and democratic forces to join them to protest against growing repression in India. Ever since the right wing Hindu nationalist Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in India in 2014, attacks on religious minorities and political dissidents have grown.

 

Surrey Board of Trade Business Lunch

 

“Transportation and Ridesharing in Surrey”: BC’s Transportation and Infrastructure Minister, Claire Trevena, will be speaking at a Surrey Board of Trade business lunch on Monday, January 28 at 11:30 a.m. at the Civic Hotel, 13475 Central Avenue. Trevena will discuss transportation issues and plan for Surrey, and the region, including the new ridesharing legislation. Registration and Lunch: 11:30 a.m. Program: 12-1:30 p.m. Keynote speaker’s estimated start time: 12:30 p.m.

 

Islamophobia Legal Assistance Hotline (ILAH)

 

What: In Remembrance: The Quebec City Mosque Shooting – Community Discussion. January 29 will mark two years since Alexandre Bissonnette shot and killed six worshippers at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City, severely injuring others. The Islamophobia Legal Assistance Hotline (ILAH) is marking the second anniversary of this event with a community discussion at the Vancouver Public Library in The Alma VanDusen and Peter Kaye Rooms on Monday, January 28 at 6 p.m. Admission is free but pre-registration is required for this event: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/in-remembrance-the-quebec-city-mosque-shooting-tickets-54625360925 Speakers: Amal Ghazal, Director of Centre for Comparative Muslim Studies (SFU); Itrath Syed, PhD Candidate, School of Communication (SFU); Kashif Ahmed, Chair of the National Council of Canadian Muslims.

 

Surrey Board of Trade: Surrey Hot Topic Dialogue Series

 

The hot topic dialogue on Tuesday, January 29 will be Surrey’s transition to a municipal police force from the current Surrey RCMP. This Surrey Hot Topic Dialogue will bring up key discussion points regarding: The costs and benefits of a municipal police force; costs and benefits of keeping the RCMP; transparency of existing transition process; provincial government approval process; training and infrastructure required for a municipal police force – and more. Panelists include: Kash Heed, former BC Solicitor General and Public Safety Minister as well as a Chief Constable of the West Vancouver Police Department; Fraser McRae, former Assistant Commissioner and Officer in Charge of the Surrey RCMP; Bob Rolls, former Deputy Chief Constable of the Vancouver Police Department. Rolls will reference his work on the Richmond Policy Study; Mike Larsen, Chair Department of Criminology at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU). Location:  Civic Hotel Autograph Collections, 13475 Central Avenue, Surrey. Time: Registration and Breakfast: 7:30 a.m.; Program: 8-9:30 a.m. Admission:  Free, registration required. Seats are limited.

 

George Mackie Library: Our North Delta

 

Join us on Saturday, February 2 from 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. at the George Mackie Library for an historical tour of your community.  Have you ever wondered how the places, schools and streets you are so familiar with got their names? Who were the people associated with these names? At Our North Delta: North Delta’s Historic Places and People, find out where people first lived in North Delta and where the first trails and roads were. * Return to the George Mackie Library on Saturday, February 9 from 2-3:30 p.m. for the second session of Our North Delta: Annieville’s Fraser Fishing Fleet. At the end of the 19th century folk said that there were so many salmon in the Fraser River that you could walk across on the backs of them. Fishermen arrived at Annieville, many from Norway. Canneries were built and employed people from many nations. Come and hear the story of the Fraser Fishing Fleet. These two sessions are presentations by members of the North Delta Advisory Group for the Delta Heritage Society.

 

Muriel Arnason Library: Year of the Pig

 

Celebrate the Year of the Pig at Muriel Arnason Library on Saturday, February 9, 2-3 p.m. Everyone is invited to join the library staff and some special artists to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Come and enjoy the Chinese dance and music, displays, make a craft and a lucky envelope, and taste some New Year’s foods. This is a free, drop-in program. All supplies are provided. Muriel Arnason Library is located in the Township of Langley Civic Facility at 20338  65th Avenue. Phone: 604-532-3590.

 

Newton BIA: Notice of AGM

 

Annual General Meeting of 2019 and elections for next year’s executive positions. All businesses and property owners within the Newton BIA area are invited to attend (no charge). Coffee and light refreshments will be served throughout. 11:30 a.m. – Doors open. 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. – Registration / Networking. 12 p.m. – Annual General Meeting. Location: Newton Cultural Centre, 13530 72nd Avenue, Surrey. When: Thursday, February 21, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Registration is required. Call for nominations: Being involved in the Newton BIA is a highly rewarding and fun experience which provides members with an opportunity to engage with peers, professionals and the community. Nominating for a Board Member position shows your willingness to be a crucial part the Newton BIA team for 2019. You are committing to attend a minimum of one Board meeting a month. Nominations are now open. Nomination deadline is February 11. You are required to be present at the AGM in order to be voted in.

 

Enhanced Settlement Services for Women (ESSW) Program

 

The Enhanced Settlement Services for Women (ESSW) Program at MOSAIC in Surrey is available for vulnerable newcomer women living in the Surrey area. Services include: basic counselling support; information and orientation; information on rights; referrals; monthly educational workshops. All Surrey newcomer women are welcome to the ESSW free monthly workshops from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.: * Family Law: February 19 * Self-Care: March 18 at #200-7134 King George Boulevard, Surrey. Phone: 778-591-9334, ext 193. Contact Torfeh: tjahanbakhsh@mosaicbc.org. Women only group. Bring your ID for registration. Bus tickets and light refreshments provided. Interpretation Services available (to be booked in advance). * Sometimes the settlement process can be hard on families, and newcomer women may find themselves faced with challenges and/or in an unhealthy relationship. A Woman’s Support Worker can provide: comprehensive intake and needs assessment; basic counselling and emotional support; information and orientation; referrals to community services; monthly topical workshops. To learn more about the free and confidential services, call and speak to the Women’s Support Worker, Torfeh Jahan, at 778-591-9334, ext. 193. Location: #200-7134 King George Boulevard, Surrey.

 

Dhahan Prize Submissions

 

Submissions are now open for the Dhahan Prize, the world’s signature prize in Punjabi literature. Authors who have published novels or short story collections in 2018 in either of the Punjabi scripts, Gurmukhi and Shahmukhi, are invited to submit their works for the $25,000 CDN grand prize.  Two finalist prizes of $10,000 CDN will also be awarded.  The deadline for submissions is March 31. In addition to the Dhahan Prize Award, financial support will be provided to winning authors for transliteration and publication of their book into Gurmukhi or Shahmukhi scripts. The Prize aims to inspire the creation of Punjabi literature across borders, bridging Punjabi communities around the world, and promoting Punjabi literature on a global scale. The awards garner critical acclaim and significant exposure for aspiring writers. Submissions will be accepted via the Dhahan Prize website, www.dhahanprize.com. Eligible works of fiction must be received for review by March 31, 2019. For more information, visit www.dhahanprize.com or join the conversation on Twitter or Facebook. To submit, please send an application to submissions@dhahanprize.com and mail three hard copies to: Dhahan Prize Book Submission, #1058 – 2560 Shell Road, Richmond, BC, V6X 0B8, Canada.

 

New Mental Health Initiative: Youth Volunteers Needed

 

On behalf of the South Asian Mental Health Alliance and Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar, this is an open call for South Asian youth in Greater Vancouver, ages 14 to 21, interested in receiving Mental Health First-Aid Training, a professional certification developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada. The goal is to create a volunteer team of mental health Youth Ambassadors who will raise awareness around mental health, and will work together to de-stigmatize its discussion and treatment within the South Asian community. In addition to mental health first-aid training, our volunteer Youth Ambassadors will receive training in public speaking and presenting so that they may effectively educate others about mental health. If this volunteer opportunity interests you, email harmanspandher@gmail.com, or call or text Harman S. Pandher at (778) 835-7898.

 

George Mackie Library: Practice English, Learn Skills

 

Practice English and learn skills for the Canadian workplace.  Meet at the George Mackie Library in Delta on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 2 to 4:30 p.m. to practice English, learn workplace vocabulary, become familiar with the Canadian labour market and develop networking skills. Each session includes tips and assistance with resume writing, job search skills, websites and Canadian workplace expectations.  Taught by a TESOL-certified and experienced teacher, this program is being offered in partnership with Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society.  Bonus:  PICS refers students, if interested, to further education at local colleges or universities.  To register, call 604-596-7722 or drop in at the library.

 

17th Annual Shakti Awards Nomination

 

The Shakti Awards were founded in 2000 in honour of International Women’s Day to recognize and celebrate women who have displayed Shakti – strength and energy – in their community, locally and / or globally. The women who have displayed Shakti (strength and energy) amongst us represent an inspiring account of positive social, cultural and economic change in the world. The Shakti Awards are an opportunity for us to recognize these women, quite often the unsung heroes, and share their vibrant stories.  If you would like to nominate a woman that embodies Shakti, use the information below and email your nomination to shaktisociety2000@gmail.com no later than February 24. The Shakti Awards will be presented at the Shakti Awards Dinner Gala on Saturday, March 9 at Bollywood Banquet Hall at 6:30 p.m. We are expecting approximately 500 attendees. Tickets are $50 each. For tickets, donations and sponsorship enquiries, call 604-307-8796. Please note that nominations must be submitted via email. Submissions sent through other means, (social media, in-person or phone/text messages will not be considered). * Categories: Academic Achievement Award (High School or University / College student); Public Service / Volunteer Award; Business Entrepreneur Award; Artistic Achievement Award; Sports and Recreational Award; Resilience Award – A woman who has overcome adversity and has used her personal journey in a way to inspire and motivate others to be positive despite challenges and setbacks. * Nomination Information: Name; Age; Address, phone number(s) and email; Name, phone number and email of nominator; Brief summary of reason for nomination – how the nominee’s accomplishments relate to the stated category, the impact of their role, and why they should be chosen to receive a specific award; Identify how the nominee will contribute to Shakti: Empowerment of Women, Children and Families Society.

 

 

(For more events, visit the “Events” section of our website at voiceonline.com)